Jennifer Johnson, a senior lecturer in accounting at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, has received a 2017 Outstanding Accounting Educator Award from the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
The statewide award, presented in three categories, to small, medium and large schools, recognizes Texas accounting educators who have exhibited excellence in teaching and who have distinguished themselves through active service to the profession. Criteria for judging includes instructional innovation, student motivation, the pursuit of learning opportunities for students, involvement in student and professional accounting organizations, and research accomplishments and publications.
The large-school winner, Johnson and the other recipients each received a plaque and a $500 cash award at the annual TSCPA accounting educators’ conference, held in October in Dallas. She was nominated for the honor by several of her students, former students and Dr. Monica Powell, senior associate dean.
“Jennifer is an exceptional teacher going beyond what is traditionally expected of college faculty,” Dr. Powell said. “She sincerely cares about the individual success of every student. Her engaging style, her personal commitment and her innovative teaching approach allows students to find the best roadmap for individual success.”
Johnson is a self-described accounting nerd who teaches accounting as the language of business.
“I think that students don’t understand all of the opportunities available to them in this profession,” she said. “I tell my students that, as accountants, we are helping to enact change. Accounting isn’t just a function. It’s a way to help companies grow.”
Colleague Art Agulnek, an accounting lecturer at JSOM, praised Johnson’s leadership skills and creativity in the classroom. “She takes a complex area and teaches it in such a way that people can understand it and use it in business,” he said.
Tiffany Bortz, also a senior lecturer in accounting and associate coordinator of the Accounting Area, described Johnson as an innovative and passionate educator. “Her students appreciate the enthusiasm and creative approach she brings into the classroom.”
Johnson joined UT Dallas in 2009 after an accounting career at Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Southwest Securities and PricewaterhouseCoopers. She currently serves on the TSCPA Board of Directors and is treasurer-elect for the Dallas CPA Society.
